• Age: 9 to 12
• Grade: 4 to 7
• Reading age: 9 to 12

At a Battle of the Bands event, Ace and his best friend Denny notice that girls like musicians, no matter how dorky the dudes might be.

Having, so far, been severely challenged when it comes to meeting girls, they decide to start a band. Ace discovers that he loves playing guitar and electric bass. While Denny tweets their every move and their clean-freak drummer, Pig, polishes everything in sight, Ace tries to write a song that will win at the next local teen songwriting contest. It's more difficult than he thought it would be. When Denny brings a great tune to rehearsal, Ace is devastated that Denny, who rarely practices, is a better songwriter than he is. The contest is only days away when Ace discovers that Denny stole the song, and Ace has to decide if winning is worth the lie.

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read! Also available in French as Accord de puissance.

TED STAUNTON a écrit plus de quarante livres jeunesse et a contribué à la sériepopulaire Seven. Il joue aussi de la musique folk et blues. Ted se rend souventdans des écoles et des bibliothèques canadiennes. Il donne aussi un cours derédaction au collège George Brown à Toronto. Quand il n’est pas plongé dans un livre, il fait souvent de la musique avec le Maple Leaf Champions Jug Band..

Ted Staunton is the award-winning author of over forty books for young people, including Bounced, What Blows Up in The Almost Epic Squad series, the picture book Friends for Real, illustrated by Ruth Ohi, and the coauthor of the non-fiction title It Seemed Like a Good Idea . . . : Canadian Feats, Facts and Flubs, with his son Will. A busy and popular presenter at schools across Canada, Ted also teaches writing at George Brown College in Toronto, and is a roots/blues musician in whatever time is left over. Visit him online at www.tedstauntonbooks.com.

Ted Staunton's profile page

• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens

"Staunton introduces an authentic voice in Ace...The quick pace, snappy dialogue and music terminology will appeal to reluctant readers. "

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

"This quick and straightforward story...benefits from Staunton's laid-back narrative style."

The Horn Book Guide

"This entry in the Orca Currents series is excellently tuned to its purpose, staying snappy and solid rather than broadening out into needless wackiness...Ultimately, it's a fond and focused tribute to the joy of getting together with pals to make some noise and draw attention...Endearing, approachable, and authentic, this is a triple-threat quick pick."

The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books